Alaska bills on alcohol-cancer warnings and e-cigarettes revived after faltering last year
January 15, 2025 by alaskabeacon.com
Alaska bills on alcohol-cancer warnings and e-cigarettes revived after faltering last year
Two bills, previously unsuccessful, return in this session in Alaska. House Bill 37 proposes cancer warning signs in alcohol-selling places, promoted by Rep. Andrew Gray. Senate Bill 24 by Senate President Gary Stevens seeks a tax on vapes, raising the purchase age to 21. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlights the alcohol-cancer link. In 2022, Gov. Dunleavy vetoed a bill passing after session end. The state's fight against smoking shifts to vaping, based on youth surveys. Stevens revamped the initial vape bill after a veto but rejected it due to late marijuana-related amendments. Youth vape usage dropped from 26% to 17.3% from 2019 to 2023.
19.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 52.1 million current smokers in United States 22.90% of men are current smokers but only 15.80% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR